The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Richard’s Family. Chapter 7. Crazy Things.

Jennifer and the girls returned to our hotel quickly and got settled in once again. It was Misty, Aasta, Beryan and Nakedra who had been captured earlier by Dinah’s men and they were now in our room with Jennifer, Celestine and Dawn. “I’m surprised you managed to get us away from Dinah so easily,” said Misty, “she told us our ransom would be $50 million.

And I know you didn’t pay that much for us, we’re not supposed to pay anything actually which is why I’m surprised you got us back so quickly after those men captured us and they surprised us after we discovered the dead man at the front desk and there was 10 of them and they had automatic weapons so there was no way we could fight back even though I wanted to and I’m sure the other girls wanted to fight as well and…”

Jennifer stopped her at that point. “Misty,” she said. “Yes Jennifer,” answered Misty. “You talk fast and non stop when you’re excited,” said Jennifer. “Yep, guess I do,” she said, “and where is Steve, I thought he would be here waiting to talk with us about everything like why we got captured and who did it and where were we kept and did we see anything and why are Dawn and Celestine looking so sad when they should be happy we’re free now and not hurt and…”

“Misty,” said Jennifer. “Yes Jennifer,” answered Misty. “Slow down and maybe we can answer you’re questions.” “Oh, right, I will do that,” she said, “and I bet I know where Steve is right now, he’s out plotting how to attack Dinah while she’s weak and waiting for her men to arrive and…” “Misty,” said Jennifer. “Yes Jennifer,” said Misty. “Back up a bit please,” she said. Misty took 3 steps back. “Misty,” said Jennifer. “Yes,” she replied.

“I want you to come closer,” she said. “But you specifically told me to back up,” said Misty, “if you want me to come closer then you should say, come closer, not back up and why are you screaming into your pillow?” “Misty,” said Dawn, “you 4 girls are free because Steve offered to take your place, so he is now a prisoner of Dinah. That is why we are sad.” Misty stood there blinking at her. “Jennifer, is that true?” asked Aasta. “Yes girls, it’s true,” she said, “Steve felt it was better for him to take your place, so you could be free.”

“But, but, but,” said Misty, “Dinah will never let Steve go free, she’ll kill him for sure.” “You forget that Steve is a ghost, like me,” she said, “so he will be okay.” “But Steve is only maybe, sorta, kinda, a bit like you,” said Misty, “he still has problems yet.” Jennifer sighed. “True, but Misty, you said that Dinah was still waiting for her men to arrive,” said Jennifer. “Yep, they are not here yet,” said Misty, “not until tomorrow night. I heard the 2 guys talking that were guarding us, and that’s what they said.”

The other girls confirmed what Misty said. “That’s perfect,” said Jennifer, “then we can put Plan B into operation tonight, because our extra people have already arrived, so we should easily outnumber Tobias’ men.” “Yep,” said Misty, “the one man said that Tobias only has 20 men, most of the people working at the Black Swan are just regular employees.”

Meanwhile, “How come we can’t hear anything?” asked Dinah, “You did put those listening devices on those women, didn’t you Herman?” “Yeah, I did it myself just to make sure,” he said, “I don’t understand why none of them are working, unless they found them all. I put them in different places though, so it would be hard to find every one of them.” “All they had to do was find one,” said Dinah, “then they would take the clothes off those women and toss them in the garbage. I bet that’s what they did.”

Back at the hotel. Meowy= “Me smell something not right on human girls.” “Listening devices or trackers,” said Dawn. So the girls quickly changed their clothes and their old clothes were dumped in the garbage bin behind the restaurant. “Good work Jewel,” said Celestine, “I hope you’re teaching that to Sir Night.” Meowy= “Storm main teacher for that, but me help too.” Celestine picked her up and gave her a hug. “I think you probably help a lot,” she said smiling.

Jennifer contacted Sky and Aari and told them it was time for Plan B, and make sure they are dressed appropriately for this event, after all, formal attire only at a place like the Black Swan. And this was the second night of their 4 night special extravaganza, with special shows and prizes. There will be a lot of people at the Black Swan and they discovered that Tobias had hired a security firm to send over an extra 20 security guards for this event.

However, those guards did not carry guns, so they would be shot with our dart guns, as would anyone else that wanted to get in our way. Not that I would be involved, I’m a bit out of action for now. So, back to me for a moment. “I do hope your room is satisfactory, Steve,” said Dinah. “Yes, I am quite happy with it, thanks,” I replied. “You will get regular meals as well,” she said, “anything that you would like?” “Just a light lunch,” I said, “and whatever is on the menu for dinner, maybe bacon, eggs and toast for breakfast would be nice.” “That’s fine,” she said.

“You seem to be treating me rather nicely,” I said, “what’s the catch?” “The catch is $200 million,” she replied, “but, if the money doesn’t arrive on time, then I won’t be so nice.” That I kind of assumed. I then knelt down beside my bed so that it would look like I was praying. “Don’t worry Steve,” said Sky, “I’m just a call away, no one will hurt you. We are putting Plan B into effect because Dinah’s men will not be here until tomorrow night. So, tonight is our night.”

“I don’t know why,” I said, “but for some reason I sense big trouble for me today, and I’m nervous, I can’t do things like you and the other ghosts.” “Hmm, Jennifer doesn’t sense danger for you,” she said, “but I don’t like this anyway. I will leave Angel with you as your guard, no one can get past her. And, Celestine wanted me to give you a present.” Out popped Sir Night, purring. “Maybe I should have brought Celestine,” said Sky giggling.

“Very funny,” I said, “thank Celestine for me, giving up Sir Night is a big deal for her.” Sky then left and I lay down on the bed with Sir Night on top of me. Meanwhile, “Hey, look at this Tobias,” said Herman, “that Steve is a nut case. He’s pretending he has a cat lying on top of him.” Tobias looked at the monitor. “That is supposed to be the leader of the Investigators?” asked Tobias, “I think he has flipped, shattered all his brain cells. I bet his wife is the real leader. No wonder he traded himself for those 4 gals.”

The four guys in the office all laughed. Then they went back to work, except Herman who was watching me. After a few minutes I allowed Sir Night to be visible. “Hey, he does have a cat, a black cat!” exclaimed Herman, “Take a look everyone.” They all looked, but there was no cat. “Where did it go?” asked Herman,

“Honest Tobias, he had a cat on him, all black.” “Well, go take a look,” said Tobias, “though I don’t see how he could have a cat.” Herman came in and began to look around. “Looking for something?” I asked. “Yeah, your little black cat,” he said, “where is it?” “I don’t have a black cat,” I said, “but I do have a huge lion…”

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.